Group opposes increase in DCWD meter charges
-A A +AMonday, March 18, 2013
BAYAN-Southern Mindanao opposed the increase in meter maintenance charges and suspension of the granting of 10 percent discount to consumers paying their bills before due date.
Sheena Duazo, secretary-general of Bayan-Southern Mindanao, said the Davao City Water District (DCWD) never conducted a consultation among the consumers before the proposed increase.
"There should be a public consultation on this matter kay para makabalo ang tanan ug makahatag ug posisyon ang mga consumer mahitungod ani," Duazo told Sun.Star Davao via Facebook chat.
Imelda Magsuci, DCWD spokesperson, earlier said new charges for mechanical and electromagnetic water meters will be applied since the unit cost of meters has increased through the years and DCWD has been consequently subsidizing a portion of the cost amidst its ballooning operation costs.
In a phone interview on Monday, Magsuci said a public consultation is not required for the increase in meter maintenance charges since it is not a water rate increase.
"Kay kung requirement siya, amoa man gyud nang i-comply. Dili man pwede dili kung required by law na siya. Sundon gyud na namo step by step. Pero kung wala na siya gi-require sa law, alangan buhaton namo kung walay requirement,” she said.
"Recovery na siya (increase) sa kantidad sa metro. Kung pila tung kantidad mao ra pud among gikuha ug balik," she added.
Aside from the changes in meter charges, the DCWD has also changed its name from meter rental fees to meter maintenance charges as it is the appropriate term for it, Magsuci said.
"We are against the increase. Even if the unit cost of meters increased dili dapat mapasa ang burden sa mga consumers nga dugay na nagabayad sa DCWD," Duazo said.
"DCWD should listen to the voice of the people," she added.
DCWD said Board Resolution 12-606 issued last October 19, 2012 provides changes in the meter maintenance charges are based on the acquisition and maintenance costs of meters.
The following new charges for mechanical and electromagnetic water meters according to size will apply: for mechanical meters: 13mm (1/2") -- P21; 20mm (3/4") -- P32; 25mm (1") --P48; 40mm (1 1/2") -- P129; 50mm (2") -- P230; 100mm (4") -- P615; 150mm (6") -- P1,278; and 200mm (8") -- P1,532.
B) for electromagnetic meters: 50mm (2") -- P1,723; 100mm (4") -- P2,112; 150mm (6") -- P2,178; and 200mm (8") -- P2,778.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 19, 2013.
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